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Apostolic Authority and the Two Witnesses

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Apostolic Authority and the Two Witnesses End Times Prophecy 314: Two Witnesses & Authority biblestudying.net Brian K. McPherson and Scott McPherson Copyright 2012 The Two Witnesses and Apostolic Authority This study will seek to examine in greater detail certain unexplored aspects of the role of the two witnesses. We can gain insight into this question by studying the apostolic discussion of their work in building the temple and the body of Christ. The Greek word “heiron” (2411) is used to refer to the greater temple complex and structures including its courts and walls. This word occurs 71 times in the New Testament. However, it is only used once after the Book of Acts (1 Corinthians 9:13.) In contrast, the Greek word “naos” (3485) is used to refer to the temple building itself, the holy house. This word is used 46 times in the New Testament, 19 of those occurrences are after the Book of Acts. While “naos” typically refers to the earthly temple in Jerusalem or to a heavenly Temple (in Revelation), it is also used in at least four verses to refer to the body of Christ. 1 Corinthians 3:16 Know ye not that ye are the temple (3485) of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you? 17 If any man defile the temple (3485) of God, him shall God destroy; for the temple (3485) of God is holy, which temple ye are. 1 Corinthians 6:19 What? know ye not that your body is the temple (3485) of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own? Ephesians 2:21 In whom all the building fitly framed together groweth unto an holy temple (3485) in the Lord: In 1 Corinthians 3, Paul compares his work as an apostle and teacher of Christians to someone working in a field and to an architect (masterbuilder) constructing a building. In his “building” metaphor, Paul explicitly states that the building is the temple of God. In both the temple metaphor and field metaphor Paul explains that the field and the temple are references to Christians. In the temple metaphor, Paul explains that the temple is founded upon Jesus Christ. 1 Corinthians 3:5 Who then is Paul, and who is Apollos, but ministers by whom ye believed, even as the Lord gave to every man? 6 I have planted, Apollos watered; but God gave the increase. 7 So then neither is he that planteth any thing, neither he that watereth; but God that giveth the Page 1 of 24 End Times Prophecy 314: Two Witnesses & Apostolic Authority biblestudying.net increase. 8 Now he that planteth and he that watereth are one: and every man shall receive his own reward (3408) according to his own labour (2873). 9 For we are labourers (4904) together with God: ye are God’s husbandry (1091), ye are God’s building (3619). 10 According to the grace of God which is given unto me, as a wise masterbuilder (753), I have laid the foundation (2310), and another buildeth (2026) thereon. But let every man take heed how he buildeth (2026) thereupon. 11 For other foundation (2310) can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ. 12 Now if any man build (2026) upon this foundation (2310) gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, stubble; 13 Every man’s work shall be made manifest: for the day shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by fire; and the fire shall try every man’s work of what sort it is. 14 If any man’s work abide which he hath built thereupon, he shall receive a reward. 15 If any man’s work shall be burned, he shall suffer loss: but he himself shall be saved; yet so as by fire. 16 Know ye not that ye are the temple (3485) of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you? 17 If any man defile the temple (3485) of God, him shall God destroy; for the temple (3485) of God is holy, which temple ye are. In Ephesians 2-3, Paul likewise compares his work as an apostle and teacher to someone who builds a temple. As in 1 Corinthians 3, Paul explains that Christians are part of that temple which is first built on the foundation of the apostles and Jesus Christ, the chief corner stone of the foundation. Ephesians 2:19 Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellowcitizens with the saints, and of the household (3609) of God; 20 And are built (2026) upon the foundation (2310) of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner (204) stone; 21 In whom all the building (3619) fitly framed together (4883) groweth unto an holy temple (3485) in the Lord: 22 In whom ye also are builded together (4925) for an habitation (2732) of God through the Spirit. 3:1 For this cause I Paul, the prisoner of Jesus Christ for you Gentiles, In his first epistle, the apostle Peter also compares Christians to living stones that are part of a spiritual house. Like Paul, Peter refers to Jesus Christ as the cornerstone. 1 Peter 2:4 To whom coming, as unto a living (2198) stone (3037), disallowed indeed of men, but chosen of God, and precious, 5 Ye also, as lively (2198) stones (3037), are built up (3618) a spiritual house (3624), an holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ. 6 Wherefore also it is contained in the scripture, Behold, I lay in Sion a chief corner (204) stone (3037), elect, precious: and he that believeth on him shall not be confounded. 7 Unto you therefore which believe he is precious: but unto them which be disobedient, the stone (3037) which the builders (3618) disallowed, the same is made the head (2776) of the corner (1137), 8 And a stone of stumbling, and a rock of offence, even to them which stumble at the word, being disobedient: whereunto also they were appointed. Page 2 of 24 End Times Prophecy 314: Two Witnesses & Apostolic Authority biblestudying.net Although Peter does not use the Greek word “naos” (3485) for temple, he does refer to the temple with the phrase “house.” The Greek word translated as house is “oikos” (3624.) Later in this epistle, Peter explains that the “house of God” (“oikos” 3624) is Christians. 1 Peter 4:17 For the time is come that judgment must begin at the house (3624) of God: and if it first begin at us, what shall the end be of them that obey not the gospel of God? The New Testament uses this Greek phrase “house of God” (“oikos” 3624, “theos” 2316) to refer to the temple (or tabernacle). Matthew 12:4 How he entered into the house (3624) of God (2316), and did eat the shewbread, which was not lawful for him to eat, neither for them which were with him, but only for the priests? Mark 2:26 How he went into the house (3624) of God (2316) in the days of Abiathar the high priest, and did eat the shewbread, which is not lawful to eat but for the priests, and gave also to them which were with him? Luke 6:4 How he went into the house (3624) of God (2316), and did take and eat the shewbread, and gave also to them that were with him; which it is not lawful to eat but for the priests alone? Hebrews 10:21 And having an high priest over the house (3624) of God (2316); In his letter to Timothy, Paul likewise uses this phrase “house of God” (“oikos” “theos”) to refer to Christians. 1 Timothy 3:15 But if I tarry long, that thou mayest know how thou oughtest to behave thyself in the house (3624) of God (2316), which is the church of the living God, the pillar and ground of the truth. Both Paul and Peter used the synonymous terms “temple” and “house of God” to metaphorically refer to Christians. The idea of Christians as the temple of God originates with two Old Testament references to Christ himself as the cornerstone of the temple. Psalm 118:22 The stone which the builders refused is become the head stone of the corner. Isaiah 28:16 Therefore thus saith the Lord GOD, Behold, I lay in Zion for a foundation a stone, a tried stone, a precious corner stone, a sure foundation: he that believeth shall not make haste. Page 3 of 24 End Times Prophecy 314: Two Witnesses & Apostolic Authority biblestudying.net In the New Testament these Messianic prophecies are applied to Jesus. It is worth noting that Psalm 118 and the New Testament references to it identify the leaders of God’s people as the builders. The prophecy from Psalm 118 refers to the leaders of God’s people during Jesus’ ministry who rejected him as Christ. However, in 1 Corinthians 3 and Ephesians 2-3, Paul identifies himself (and the other apostles) as builders of God’s temple with Jesus as the cornerstone of the foundation. Matthew 21:42 Jesus saith unto them, Did ye never read in the scriptures, The stone which the builders rejected, the same is become the head of the corner: this is the Lord’s doing, and it is marvellous in our eyes? Mark 12:10 And have ye not read this scripture; The stone which the builders rejected is become the head of the corner: Luke 20:17 And he beheld them, and said, What is this then that is written, The stone which the builders rejected, the same is become the head of the corner? Acts 4:11 This is the stone which was set at nought of you builders, which is become the head of the corner.
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